An Endless Romance

Prologue

I quickly slam the door behind me, hearing the glass shatter against the door as well as her screaming obscenities at me.

“How in the hell is this my fault...?” I mutter as I quickly make my way down the path and to my car before taking one last look at my home, sighing as I hop in, turn the ignition over and drive off. Before I know what’s happening, I find myself making my way through the streets. Driving without knowing or realizing where I’m going.

Before long, I feel my eyes losing focus as the fight keeps replaying in my mind and I feel myself getting angrier before I need to pull over to the side. I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself…

Yeah… that doesn’t work as I find myself screaming into my steering wheel until my breath runs out. After taking a few deep breaths, I look up and realize I’m near the highway. I run my hands through my hair and look down to see 6 missed calls on my phone.

“Fuck it” I throw my car into gear and drive off, hitting the highway and not looking back…

If I knew what lay ahead for me… I never would have gotten on the highway and ended up where I did… Or maybe I was always meant to… All I know is, nothing could have ever prepared me for what was to come

Chapter 1

After what feels like an eternity of driving, I pull into the gas station. Put my car into park and switch off the engine. I rub my dreary eyes and run my hands through my hair. I hop out the car and start pumping gas while looking around. The early morning air is cold and crisp against my skin and the cleanliness of the air feels a massive contrast to what I’m used to.

After I’ve finished pumping gas, I head in to pay. As I’m paying, my stomach rumbles and groans rather loudly. The attendant laughs quietly to himself while I have a slightly embarrassed look on my face.

“A little hungry this morning?” He asks politely enough.

“What gave it away?” I chuckle in response. “Know any good places a guy could have some breakfast?”

The attendant points down the road. “Couple blocks that way; diner has the best pancakes you’ve ever had outside of your momma’s kitchen. And that’s a guarantee!”

I follow his direction and thank him for his help before getting back into my car and driving off a few blocks down the road. Not long after leaving the gas station, does a nice, homely diner come into view. My stomach rumbles again, as though it knows it’s time to eat.

I pull into the car park and make my way into the diner. I slide into an empty booth and before I can even blink, a middle aged server is at my booth with a coffee pot in hand.

“Coffee hun?” She asks, more as a formality as she starts pouring me a cup before I can even respond.

“Please” I nod as she has already finished filling my cup by the time I finish speaking.

“Anything off the menu hun?” She asks flatly, as though she’s been on her feet all night. Which now that I think about it, is probably true.

“Well, I was told that this place has the best pancakes I’ve ever had outside of my momma’s kitchen” I respond with a small chuckle.

My server smirks in response “You tell that young Kyle, he’s not getting paid any commission for saying that. No matter how many customers he sends over”

She briskly turns away and calls out to the kitchen for an order of pancakes. While I’m waiting for my food, I take a look out the window and take a little reflection on what my life has become in the last 24 hours. Yesterday morning I left for work, only to get there and find my boss waiting at the door with a severance cheque in hand. Turns out that last project, was our last. So I begrudgingly get back into my car and drive home, expecting to spend the rest of the day looking at job applications. Only to pull into my driveway and see my best friend’s car there.

Surely not. No way this is going on. Not after losing my job… but, sure enough. As I walk towards my front door… I hear it. The sounds of my girlfriend cheating on me. With, who I thought, was my best friend. A short confrontation and altercation later, which ended up with me breaking his nose with one of the best punches I have ever thrown in my life, I slam the door behind me with nothing but the clothes on my back and whatever of my possessions, I can think to pack in this one bag. I then hop in the car; leave everything I’ve ever known in San Diego behind and just hit the road. Now, I’m in Canon City, Colorado.

“Here you go, hun”

My brooding silence and train of thought is suddenly shattered by the warm voice of my server and a plate stacked with some of the fluffiest pancakes, coated in maple syrup, that I have ever seen in my life. I’m pretty sure a bit of drool manages to escape my mouth and hit the table.

My server sees the reaction on my face and chuckles to herself softly before being called away by another customer. In an almost daze, I pick up my fork and slowly start to make my way through the immaculate pile of heaven that is in front of me.

As I start to get to the end of my plate, my stomach groans in agony. It’s almost like it’s never been this full before but thanks to my tastebuds my brain refuses to stop until I’ve cleared every single scrap of food off that plate. No sooner do I place my fork down in victory over this plate, my server seemingly appears out of thin air.

“Someone was hungry this morning” She says with a cheeky grin. All my body can seem to do is nod, any other form of communication seems to be off the table as I battle myself to stay out of a food coma.

My server clears my table and leaves the bill in front of me, which I manage to ignore for the next few minutes as I slowly regain control over my body. I begrudgingly pick up my bill to see how much I owe and to my surprise… I see the total owing is $0.00 with a note that simply says “The look in your eyes says you’ve paid enough”

I manage to quickly wipe away a tear before it makes it way down my cheek, hastily leave a tip and exit the diner, slowly making my way back to my car. After I’m back behind the steering wheel, the fatigue hits me like a ton of bricks. Driving all through the night didn’t do me any favors and now it’s catching up with me.

I grab my phone to google the closest motel and notice the dozens of missed calls and messages. From my ex, my former best friend, my parents, some of my former work colleagues. I ball my fists up for a second but then take a deep breath in and out, slowly relaxing everything. I don’t really have anything to say to any of them, especially my parents. They adored her, always making sure to tell me I was punching well above my weight with her.

After a quick search, I see that there’s a motel only a five minute drive away. So without a further thought, I chuck my car in gear and make my way towards the motel. Pulling in, I see that it’s nothing special but that suits me just fine. As long as it has a bed, I don’t care.

After booking a room, I park my car in front of my door. Grab my bag that has all I have left of my worldly possessions and unlock the door and look inside. It looks like it was designed in the 70’s and has barely been maintained since. The double bed looks older than me, the tv looks like the one I grew up with at mum and dads, the shower has a steady leak. And none of the things mean a damn to me.

I place my bag on the chair next to the bed, kick my shoes off and simply collapse onto the bed. My eyes closed before my head hits the pillow.

I’m woken up by the sound of knocking at my door. I groggily raise my head off the pillow, trying to think of who the hell could be banging down my door. Seeing as no one from San Diego knows where I am right now.

After slowly making my way to the door, I open it to see the girl from the front desk asking why I haven’t checked out yet. It takes me longer than I would like to admit for my brain to figure out that I haven’t slept for a few hours. I’ve slept for more than a few hours into the next day. After apologizing and booking the room for the rest of the week, I saunter back into my room and close the door behind me.

I look over to the bed as it’s tempting me with sleep but I decide that a shower is needed more than more sleep. I shamelessly strip my clothes off and throw them onto the bed before blasting the hot water as steam fills the cramped bathroom. As I slip under the stream of hot water, it feels like heaven on my tired skin. I can slowly feel the stress of the las couple of days drip away like water drops off my skin.

After I finish procrastinating under the water, I wash myself with bodywash that I try not to think about how many people have used it before me… I eventually turn the water off and step out of the shower, grabbing my towel and slowly drying myself off. Before I get dressed, I look at myself in the mirror. I sigh as I look at my hair as it falls past my shoulders. I can barely remember the last time I got it cut. I ended up growing it out after a dare from one of my friends and that was it…

My dark brown hair has a habit of hiding my bright blue eyes whenever I have it down. Over the last year or so I’ve been fairly slack when it comes to looking after myself, so I’ve put on some noticeable weight. Getting a little soft around the belly area, as well as little more roundness in the face. As well as some nice stubble coming through as it’s been a few days since I last shaved. I look at myself with a small level of disdain before I drag myself away from the mirror to put some clothes on.

After I throw a pair of jeans on as well as one of my less damaged shirts. I tie my hair back in a bun, chuck on my shoes and head out my door. At this point my stomach chooses to remind me that I haven’t eaten for over a day. I see the sun starting to dip below the hills so I decide it’s time for a decent feed, and probably a few drinks to forget everything that’s happened. Even if only for a night.

I open my phone to find a bar that serves more than just nuts, see one that’s relatively close by. I debate whether to drive over but decide against it. It’ll save me from having to go pick my car up tomorrow morning. So I slide my hands into my pockets and start walking down the street.

As I’m walking, I notice the quiet and serenity. The traffic is almost nonexistent. Just a car every now and then, a stark contrast to what I’m used to in San Diego. The evening air feels crisp and clean against my face. I keep my head down as the thoughts of the last couple of days start creeping back into my head. After allowing them more space in my mind than I would care to admit, I shake my head and look up to realize that I’ve almost arrived at the bar.

I wipe my feet before pushing the door open and walking inside. I pause for a moment to take in my surroundings. It’s pretty much what you would expect from a bar here. Poor lighting, 80’s pub rock playing on a worn-out jukebox, a few regulars sitting there in silence with their drinks half downed in front of them. And not a damn thing about any of that matters to me as I make my way to the bar and take a seat. And that’s… That’s when I see her for the first time…

She appears from nowhere but it’s like a light has been switched on, or more like a spotlight. As the light seems to only radiate over her. Her bright green eyes are one of the first things I notice, after her curly, bouncing orange hair that drops down past her chest. Her chest that is accentuated by the singlet that is barely keeping it together on her, accompanied by the frayed denim shorts that show off her slender and toned legs. How the hell is this bar empty?!

She almost bounces over to me, flashes me the brightest smile I think I have ever seen in my life before.

“What can I get for you sailor?” She says in the most flirtatious, bubbly voice I think I’ve ever heard in real life. That’s the kind of voice you only hear in movies, right? It almost makes me swoon in a way before I respond “Burger with fries, and whiskey” I respond with a slight rasp in an attempt to make myself seem more manly. Pretty sure I failed.

She jots down my order and within an instant I have a glass of whiskey in my hands while she disappears to what I can only assume is the kitchen. I take a sip of my drink as I have a second look around. Most of the guys in here are your classic old timers.

While turned around, I hear the clatter of a plate hitting the bar behind me. I spin around and am very warmly greeted by the sight of my most exquisite bartender, accompanied by my burger. Which I barely notice as I’m too busy getting lost in this amazing woman’s eyes. They are the purest shade of green and almost seem to sparkle.

“Here you go sweetie” Her voice seems lighter than air as she flashes me the most perfect smile before she makes her way over to another one of the guys along the bar and refills his drink. My eyes follow her, in a complete daze. Seemingly entranced by her. I can positively say that I’ve never met, nor seen, anyone like her before.

Eventually I shake my head to regain control of my senses and turn my attention to the burger that’s sitting in front of me. Back home, I would critique how it looked, how it smelled, the consistency of it. Right now, I don’t give a damn. I’m bloody starving. Without a second thought I have that burger in my hands and am absolutely tucking in. In, what seems to be, no time at all I’ve polished off my burger and am working my way through my fries. I stop for a moment to down the remainder of my whiskey in a single swig. Before I can motion for a refill, my stunning bartender appears in front of me and without saying a word has refilled my glass before setting the bottle down next to me on the bar.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before cutie, what’s your story?” she says as leans over the bar, accentuating the size of her chest impressively. I clear my throat in an attempt to pretend I haven’t noticed, although I’m sure she’s doing it to test me.

“No, I’m from San Diego. I arrived in town yesterday morning. This is my first time venturing out. Kinda ended up sleeping through the day and all of last night” I chuckle nervously as I say that last part. Pausing to take another sip of whiskey.

“San Diego? You’re a decent way away from home. What has you out this way?” She asks inquisitively.

After hearing her ask her question, I polish off the rest of my drink and place it back on the bar. At which point she automatically refills it without being asked. The perfect bartender right here.

“Well, I ended up losing my job after the place I was working at went under. I then went home, just to… Find my girlfriend in bed with my best friend…” I take a few deep breaths, saying it aloud for the first time is a little harder than I thought it would be. “After that, I grabbed some clothes as well as a few other things. Jumped in my car and just started driving. Ended up here at the end of it all”

She pauses for a moment, taking in every word I’m saying before she reaches out and gently rests her hand on top of mine. I almost flinch and take my hand back, but I end up leaving my hand there with hers. This tender moment only lasts for exactly that, a moment before she’s called away to refill some more drinks.

I finish off the last of my fries as she makes her way over back to me. “Sorry about that, they can get a little grumpy if their drinks are left empty for too long” She laughs nervously. The sound of her laugh is almost angelic. It’s goddamn music to my ears.

I shake my head as though she’s being silly, which she is. “It’s alright. I mean, you’re at work and here I am. Taking up all your time”

She just simply shakes her head in response. “Nonsense. Besides, after what you just told me. Your girlfriend sounds an absolute bitch. And your friend is a complete ass. No one should have to find that sort of thing out like that. Least of all, not after just having lost their job. I’m sorry you had to go through that”

I chuckle softly in agreeance with her as I take another sip of my whiskey. Realizing that I’m already on my third glass and I’ve barely finished my meal. If I wanted to have a night where I forgot the last couple of days, I’m going the right way…

“So, after all that, what brought you here?” She asks, once again focusing all her attention to me.

Before I can even form a thought, my mind seems to force a question out of my lips “You’re asking me all these questions, and I don’t even know your name…”

She giggles in the most perfect, bubbly way before she winks at me and answers.

“Erika. My name’s Erika, cutie”

Those words just roll off her tongue and pass through her lips before taking up a permanent residency in my brain. I take another sip of whiskey while still staring at her, wondering why in the absolute hell her attention is fixated on me.

“In case you couldn’t tell, there isn’t much that is new or exciting that happens here so whenever I see a new face, I tend to ask a lot of questions to quench my curiosity of what’s happening in the world”

“Holy shit! Can you read minds?!” I exclaim with a look of shock on my face, before turning into a grin after a few moments. At which point Erika laughs loudly before slapping her hand over her mouth in an attempt to stifle her laughter.

Over the course of the next few hours, we talk, we laugh. Turns out she moved here from Utah six months ago. For a fresh start she said, although a girl like that in a place like this definitely stands out.

“Hey! You never answered my question!” Erika suddenly exclaims. I look at her with a slightly drunk and confused face. With absolutely no idea what she’s talking about.

“Huh?” I reply in my dopiest and drunkest voice possible. A part of me cringes at hearing how stupid I sound. She simply giggles and shakes her head. Seemingly amused by my low showing of IQ.

“I asked, what brought you all the way out here? It’s a bit of a drive from San Diego to here in Canon City”

I take another sip while I ponder my answer. “Well, truth be told… I came here on a class trip, years ago. We did some of the trails and the scenery was just… Breathtaking. It was just so different to anything I had ever seen in San Diego. A part of me had always wanted to come back here so after I left and started driving, I guess that part of me that always wanted to come back just subconsciously brought me here”

Erika stares at me for a few moments before topping off my drink without even looking at the glass. Something that in my half drunken daze, I’m beyond amazed that she’s able to do so effortlessly.

Before long, I more than reach my limit and tolerance. Which Erika seems to take completely in her stride. Before I’ve even realized it, she’s called me a cab and is helping me stumble out of the bar and into the backseat before telling the driver where to take me. At this point I’m half passed out while laying across the back seat of this taxi. I hear the door close, and I force myself to sit up and look out the window to which I see Erika wink and blow a kiss in my direction.

I feel my face pull the stupidest, and drunkest, grin imaginable before I drop back to the seat and zone out as the taxi starts making the relatively short trip back to the motel. This absolute legend of a driver even gets out and helps me to the door of my room, opens it and literally carries me to the bed and drops me there. I drunkenly slap my back pocket before attempting to take my wallet out so I can pay this guy, but he shakes his head.

“No need, Erika had this covered before we even left”

“Erika…” I think to myself in my drunken haze. What an amazing girl. She even thought to pay the driver. I still pull my wallet out and hand the guy a note for a tip. He grabs it, looks at it for a second before looking at me and pocketing the bill. He then turns and closes the door behind him, and I hear his taxi drive away.

Now, he may have been looking at the note as I’m not exactly sure if I gave him a 1, a 10 or 100… But that’s for future me to deal with. I then roll over and grab my pillow in a futile attempt to stop the room from spinning. I smile and pretty sure I drool a little as the image of Erika pops into my head, as well as the time we spent together through the course of the night. Just as I start to drift off, a thought pierces through my mind. How did she know where I was saying?